KUALA LUMPUR: After years of public agony, the authorities are finally going to hit the Mat Rempit where it hurts most — by seizing their motorcycles.

Police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) are preparing to launch joint operations against the Mat Rempit in various locations.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said this drastic move had to be taken as the Mat Rempit had become violent and brazen instead of just being a public nuisance.

He said he had met Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat recently and the latter agreed that traffic police and JPJ officers should conduct joint operations to clamp down on the speedsters, many of whom use illegally-modified machines.

“We have to come down hard on the Mat Rempit who have started to become involved in robberies, snatch thefts and are even attacking innocent road users.

“The police have limited powers to act against these people but with the help of the JPJ, we can now go all out against them,’’ he added.

Musa said police would also go after the owners of the motorcycles if the riders caught were underage or did not possess valid licences. He said the registered owner of the machine would also be issued with a summons if the rider did not have a valid licence.

“Parents must be more responsible and should not allow their underage children to drive cars or ride motorcycles,’’ he added.

First of all…baru sekarang nak sedar ke? What, with all the snatch theft cases, illegal races and road assaults, you still can see the gravity of the situation? You guys blind or what?!

Here’s the thing…you take away the Rempit’s bike then what’s going to happen? What’s going to happen is the Rempits are just going to steal other people’s bike, so what’s the point? It’s not going to change anything.

Fact of the matter is, the Polis and authorities are just horsing around – at least from where I’m seeing it anyway lah.

This is a revisit of my earlier post on New Zealand Natural Ice Cream in Malaysia being halal certified.

Digging through my comments, I received a reply from an unknown rep from the importers and distributors of the ice cream brand. Apparently the rep claims that JAKIM does not certify imported foodstuffs as halal or not.

While I find this disturbing (how do we know if imported consumables are halal?), the obvious lack of understanding from the rep is even more worrying.

The pertinent question now is this…in an Islamic country like Malaysia must Muslims still ask what is halal and what is not? With entities like HDC and JAKIM, should there be such confusions of what is halal and what is not?

Well I’m back now. As usual, work has been the major culprit but I’m not complaining.

I’m at a good place now. Work is good and fulfilling, the people there are awesome too. Will be heading to JB and then of to SG on Monday for a big do. There’s international operators and media involved so its going to be awesome. I’m enjoying myself and that’s what’s important.

At the home front, Narisha’s doing very well with the pregnancy. Baby’s doing good too. We’ve got our 36 week checkup next weekend. Can’t wait to see him kicking and moving on ultrasound. While waiting, check out some of the earlier scans uploaded by Narisha.

There’s a lot on my mind at the moment. All revolving around the arrival of our son in a few weeks time. Looking at ultrasound videos…I can’t wait to hold him in my hands but at the same time the reality of how much a baby can change your life sinks in.

The usual questions arise. Questions asked by probably all fathers everywhere. Am I going to be a good father? Will I be able to provide my son with the best of everything? Will I be able to impart useful knowledge to him? Will he grow up to be better than me? Be everything that I couldn’t?

I guess time holds the answer to these questions. For the time being, all I can do is be the best that I can.

To those who’ve dropped by my blog on occasion while I was away – thank very much! Please share with me your thoughts k.